Sen. Marshall Calls for Hearing to Exam Reliability & Resiliency of Electric Grid Following Arctic Blast

(Washington, D.C., February 19, 2021) – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. has sent a letter to the Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources Chairman Joe Manchin and Ranking Member John Barrasso requesting the Committee hold a hearing to exam the reliability and resiliency of the electric grid in extreme weather events like the arctic blast. You may click HERE to read Senator Marshall’s letter in its entirety.

“I appreciate the dedication of officials in Kansas to ensuring our businesses and residents have the natural gas and propane needed to continue powering their homes and businesses through this cold weather. While we continue to do all we can at the federal level to confirm no foul play or price gouging has occurred and to support our utility companies and community leaders as they work diligently to keep Kansans warm, I believe it is prudent to exam the reliability, resiliency, and affordability of electricity and natural gas when the system is stressed,” said Senator Marshall. “The Midwest and Great Plains have seen cold weather before. Electricity generators and natural gas producers in the north consistently operate in extreme cold weather. The ultimate questions become, ‘Why weren’t we prepared’” and ‘What can we do to ensure this doesn’t happen again?’”

Background:

The current cold weather impacting much of the Midwest and eastern U.S. has put extreme pressures on the nation’s natural gas and propane supply. Natural gas is the state’s largest energy source, accounting for more than 30 percent of the state’s portfolio. Kansas maintains a robust natural gas storage system, which has been tapped to fill elevated demand. Additionally, freezing conditions have prevented new energy generation in many sectors, putting further pressure on the state’s utility companies. Energy costs are expected to increase in the coming days as demand continues to outpace supply. 

Text of Senator Marshall’s letter:

February 18, 2021

The Honorable Joe Manchin, Chairman
Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources
304 Dirksen Senate Building
Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable John Barrasso, M.D., Ranking Member
Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources
304 Dirksen Senate Building
Washington, DC 20510

Chairman Manchin and Ranking Member Barrasso,

For more than a week, Kansas has experienced record-breaking cold temperatures with ice and snow accumulating over much of the state. Temperatures have set new record-lows and multiple cities in Kansas have set new days-below-freezing records. Additionally, multiple states across the Great Plains and Midwest have also endured unseasonably cold temperatures and continued freezing conditions.

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly issued a state disaster declaration and the Kansas Corporation Commission issued an emergency order directing utilities to do everything possible and necessary to ensure continued delivery of electricity, natural gas, and propane to Kansas customers. Kansas companies have seen their power cut and Kansans have experienced rolling blackouts.

I respectfully request that the Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources hold a hearing to exam the reliability and resiliency of the electric grid in extreme weather events like the arctic blast. More specifically, I believe it is prudent to exam the affordability of electricity and natural gas when the system is stressed. The Midwest and Great Plains have seen cold weather before. Electricity generators and natural gas producers in the north consistently operate in extreme cold weather. The ultimate questions become, “Why weren’t we prepared?” and “What can we do to ensure this doesn’t happen again?”

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Roger Marshall, M.D
United States Senator

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